Used Cobra 1,700+ miles away: drive or ship?

[Thor maine]

1700 miles. " To wind in the face" GUMBALL

[cycleguy55]

To answer some of the questions:
1. I'm 59 years old, but in pretty decent shape.
2. My wife and I drive 2 Infinitis - G35x and an FX35.
3. A few years ago I set the track record for FWD cars at a local track. I know, FWD is no Cobra, but I'm probably as capable as any newbie, and also feel no need to test the limits of something that can bite me in the ass until I've had enough seat time to get a feel for the beast.
4. I'm no ace mechanic, but I have done an engine swap and I'm comfortable with tools, diagnosing problems and fixing things.
5. I'm whittling down my short list of vehicles to ones that look like they're well maintained, but I certainly will check out thoroughly before buying.
6. Current quotes for enclosed shipping are running in the $2,000+ range. My best guess is it will cost about 1/2 that to drive it (including hotel rooms), but this is about more than the $$.

[Randy Rosenberg]

If the weather forecast is for dry, then go for it! Cobras (nor their occupants) don't do well in the rain. Just be prepared for elements, as there's no escaping them in a Cobra (think "Harley on 4 wheels"). Don't forget to extend the tow miles on your AAA card

[1795]

Pick good weather and go for it. I had a choice of trailering mine or driving it 300 miles in the cold with no top and chose the latter I had a smile plastered to my face the whole time

Just be careful and light on the gas pedal and you should be fine. bring ear plugs!!! That is a long drive and the last thing you need to do is go deaf by the time you get home. Pack some oil, as you never know what the consumption may be and some fix a flat, as there usually is no spare. Enjoy the ride.

[Fullchat289]

Cycleguy…first welcome and early congrats on the purchase of your car…

I’m in favor of you taking the trip b/c I can sense just from you considering it that you have the right attitude and sense of adventure….”…this is about more than the $$$” <=== you said that.

It also sounds to me like you may be getting this car b/c you intend to enjoy it and not just let it take up space in your garage.

You are 59yrs old, you’ve had your share of challenges in your life to this point, your mind is conditioned to problem solve, consider risks and prepare, adapt and make do, etc. Also, you are buying this car in the US, correct? We have NAPA’s and Autozones all over the place, and you are likely considering a replica whose running gear/systems are of a rather common variety, assuming here that if something were to go wrong, you could get the part you need easily, do the repair/replace, and get back on the road with minimal hardship. A cellphone with GPS, Google, and a AAA account are good additional tools to have along with you, but I’m sure you know this already…

Watch some of these Roadkill episodes on Youtube. These guys are real car guys with a great attitude and sense of adventure…have a look at episodes 4 with the El Camino, and Episodes 13 & 14 with the Ranchero.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...C0C916CECEA3BC

Speaking of what to pack or buy at a Walmart once you pick up the car, there are threads on here that are good food for thought. Here’s one:

What tool kit do you carry?

There are guys on this site all over the country, we can help you find a car, inspect a car, give you biased/unbiased feedback, come to your rescue during your journey if need be, etc… Someone asked you where you live presently…I don’t think you answered that one.

It would be great if you would start a thread on your search for a car (if you think feedback from owners on cars you are considering would be helpful to you), then follow it up with a thread that documents your trip adventures. We need to see some full-circle stuff like that on this site. I’ll subscribe for sure.

Some things to consider:

- Take a friend along to share in the experience and the driving. (preferably a buddy that can pack everything he needs for four days in a small duffle) I’ve done a trip like this, buying a car sight unseen, and driving it home 1,600 miles, and the stories that unfolded along the trip has made it one of the most enjoyably memorable experiences of my life.
- Seek interesting things along the way to add character to the trip, like finding some muffler men, or taking in the tail of the dragon, a national park, or visiting a restaurant that Guy Fieri has featured on “Triple D”.
- Hit this forum up for feedback on cars you are considering if you have questions
- Sunscreen
- The map below:



- Allen.

[legenmetals]

Do you have any mechanical skills? How old are you? I'm 58 and I would just as soon pay and have it delivered than to struggle with problems along the side of the road.

Do your homework on haulers if you have it shipped. I'm still trying to get reimbursed from damage by a hauler out of Fla.

[Igofastr]

I can't tell you what to do, but there are a few things I'd consider...

1. Take a very good friend, a car guy is best. Do not take the wife (if there is one).

2. Have your AAA paid up (towing insurance).

3. Bring some basic tools, and obviously a phone and a way to charge it (the car may not have a power outlet).

4. Don't rush yourself. I probably would not take this trip if I had to use vacation. On the other hand, if you are retired...hell, you've got the rest of your life to get home.

5. Bring protection (I don't mean a gun, but why not?) No, I mean against the elements. Bring layers of clothes...LONG SLEEVES,, sunglasses, SUN BLOCK, HATS, and maybe even gloves. 10 hours a day in a roadster could lead to a significant sunburn.

6. Keep in touch, and tell people your route.

7. Bring a gas can.

8. I would probably tell the seller of your intentions....maybe a sense of guilt will get them to fess up about any problems that could potentially strand you in the boonies...leading to a "Deliverance-type" experience.

9. Will the car have a spare tire, a jack, maybe bring some fix-a-flat goo.

I'm sure that there's more, but those are things that cross my mind. I'd probably do it, but i have lots of experience of being stranded in the middle of nowhere by vintage vehicles :O.

[blown]

Drive it take a few tools look it over and hit the road some of my best memories were road trips you only live once and that's one thing off your bucket list and you will meet a lot of good people I live in Albuquerque N.M. if you are going through here send me a pm and I will give you my # if you would need anything or just to have lunch and car talk.

[PSB]

I personally wouldn't do it unless I had enough time to take the backroads and limit the drive to 300-400 miles a day. Driving a Cobra on the interstate is NO FUN. It's loud, hot, windy, wet (on that long a trip you WILL get rained on), beats you up, and you're the smallest thing on the road. The first time passing a semi is an experience.

If you do it, bring raincoats, earplugs, and sunscreen. Consider the size of the trunk of the car you're buying also. Most Cobras are pretty limited on luggage space, but there are some that you won't fit much more than a lunchbox in the trunk.

Important safety tip: If wearing a t-shirt, put sunscreen on before putting on your shirt. If you put in on after putting on your shirt, when your shirt sleeve blows up your arm when you rest it on the door, the part of you arm where you didn't get the sunscreen on will get burned to a crisp and you're wife won't let you forget how dumb that was for a least a couple weeks. ...at least that's what I've heard...

[PSB]

BTW, if you're not looking for a used Cobra here: http://www.cobracountry.com, you're not looking in the right place.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by PSB

BTW, if you're not looking for a used Cobra here: http://www.cobracountry.com, you're not using AOL.

Fixed.

[PSB]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Fixed.

Yeah, if I'm going to travel 1700 miles to look at a used car, then drive it back 1700 miles, then Craigslist is the place to look! What could possibly go wrong?

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by PSB

Yeah, if I'm going to travel 1700 miles to look at a used car, then drive it back 1700 miles, then Craigslist is the place to look! What could possibly go wrong?

I was just refering to the "retro" Interwebs look over there....

[Kobura]

There is a saying in Japan: “A wise man will climb Mt Fuji once; a fool will climb Mt Fuji twice.”

[Dwight]

almost three years ago a buddy bought a Cobra in Chicago and drove it to Birmingham, Al. Then he drove it to my shop (another 110 miles) for me to change the brake fluid, fix the seat, antifreeze, oil, general maintenance stuff. I found one bolt missing out of the drive shaft and two so loose I took them out with my fingers and the last one took a half turn of a wrench to get out. They were 7/16 bolt but the 8.8 uses 12 MM.
He was lucky.
The seat was so bad it took him three days in bed to get back on his feet.
I had another friend who drove a Austin Healy replica from Austin, TX to Florence, Al last summer. He had lots of problems.
I have more stories but

1700 miles in a car build by who knows who with who knows what parts. I think you can get a tow truck to haul it from where it breaks down to your house for $2000.
Go for it.

Dwight

and then there was Crazy Jack who bought a cheap build Cobra that did not look like it could make it across Nashville, who drove it to Daytona, Fl the first month he owned it and back to Nashville. Then to the London Cobra Show. From there almost to Canada, then back to Nashville by way of Penn. and several other states with out the first problem. The car was a pile of wore out parts.

[CobraBD408]

A road trip in a car that you don't really know? Save that potential problems and have it shipped to you. Cobra's in the rain can be problematic for the interior as well on your comfort level. 1,700 miles, think about this one carefully.

[twobjshelbys]

I wouldn't take any new to me used car on a 1700 mile drive. Add to that that the cobra will beat you to death - your back and kidneys will not be happy. Plus no cruise control if you are on freeways. And your realistic range with a 427 is about 200 miles per tank.

Don't forget you'll need some tools in the trunk too. Do you have some to bring?

All of this says ship and get to know the ins and outs of the car in your own back yard.

After you are comfortable with it be adventuresome!

Just my 2c

[cycleguy55]

Sage advice. While I'm keen on the adventure, it may fall into the category of "be careful what you ask for." At this point I'm leaning toward shipping it and waiting impatiently for it to arrive.

[BevanWright]

I did a road trip across New Zealand to get mine. The tow car ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere at 1 in the morning so we unloaded the cobra, and I drove off into the frozen night in a car that had only ever been used as a race car, almost spun it on gravel road, just about collected a tree that had fallen across the road, but... Made it and headed back with fuel for the tow car. It was all part of the experience.

I say do the drive. Take your time and make it a holiday.

[Frank Messina]

Drive it. Look at it this way, by the time you get home you will be intimately acquainted with your new ride and you'll know exactly what's right and what isn't. Or you can trailer it home then drive around the block for the next 6 months trying to figure it out and where's the fun in that? Anything can conk out, many don't so don't sweat it. Buy the best built most well sorted car you can find and hit the road. My 2¢.
Frank